«High north – Low tension»

Arkhangelsk is the largest city in the Barents Region and an important Arctic hub for Russia. (Thomas Nilsen/The Independent Barents Observer)

Despite a colder east-west climate, Norway says it is of importance to maintain cross-border cooperation. Talking at the Kirkenes conference last week, Børge Brende underscored topics like nuclear safety, fisheries in the Barents Sea, search- and rescue, business and trade as well as environmental cooperation.

«High north – Low tension» has been a Norwegian slogan flagged in most debates and international forums the last decade.

By traveling to Arkhangelsk, where President Vladimir Putin will hold the main speech, Børge Brende shows appreciation to Russia’s important position in the Arctic.

«Arctic – Territory of Dialogue Forum» takes place on March 29-30.

In addition to President Putin, the conference will be attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the State Commission for Arctic Development Dmitry Rogozin.

Svalbard archipelago dispute

In April 2015, Rogozin made big headlines in Norway when suddenly posted a photo on Twitter of himself outside the terminal building at Longyearbyen airport on Norway’s Svalbard archipelago. Norway protested since the Deputy Prime Minister is sanctioned from entry to EU and Norway, allegedly because of his participation in Moscow’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Russia disputes Norway’s right to deny entry to Svalbard by citizens from countries that have signed the 1920 Svalbard Treaty.

In Arkhangelsk, Børge Brende will also have a chance to have bilateral talks with Sergey Lavrov. Frode Overland Andersen says it is expected that the Russian Foreign Minister will attend the Arctic conference.

Russia’s Presidential Representative for Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport Sergey Ivanov is also on the list of participants. Ivanov’s was for many year’s Russia’s Minister of Defense.

Last time Børge Brende and Sergey Lavrov met in one of each others home countries, was October 2014, when Norway’s northeastern corner marked the 70th anniversary of the Red Army’s liberation from German occupation forces.

Barents Council in October

They are all three likely to go to Arkhangelsk to meet Sergey Lavrov in October. Foreign Ministers of Finland, Sweden and Norway. From left Timo Soini, Margot Wallström and Børge Brende. (Thomas Nilsen / The Independent Barents Observer)

After staying out of Russia for three years, Børge Brende might travel on even one more visit to Arkhangelsk this year. On October 18-19, Sergey Lavrov has invited his Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish colleagues for the Barents Council meeting.

Sweden’s Foreign Minister Margot Wallström has already confirmed her participation and it has never in the 25-years lasting Barents cooperation happened that a Norwegian Foreign Minister has not participated in the event.